Striking Teesside fire crews today insisted they have the stomach for a fight and are growing more determined as the dispute drags on.

Striking Teesside fire crews today insisted they have the stomach for a fight and are growing more determined as the dispute drags on.

Crews walked out of Middlesbrough Fire Station as the first of a new wave of strikes began at 9am.

Leading Firefighter Colin Hood insisted: "The longer it goes on the more adamant they make us.

"A lot of firefighters can't see an end to it, but it's just making everybody stronger.

"When there was a fire in Stockton during the last strike, there was no fire cover left, and Tony Blair has the nerve to stand there and say the army are coping.

"We're not hoping something big goes up - that's the last thing we want to happen - but it's just a matter of time.

"We're getting spin doctors' reports in the media and it's not the truth. That's what our friends and families are listening to and it's all out of control. It's crazy."

Acting Station Officer Martin Pottinger said: "They want to cut 10pc of the workforce. If you put that in the context of Cleveland, one of the highest fire risks in Europe, we only have nine full-time fire stations now."

He said firefighters were very angry with a government that most of them had probably elected.

Station Officer Peter May said: "Mr Raynsford talks about modernisation. The appliances are modern.

"We have defibrillators when dealing with heart attacks, trauma bags for medical emergencies and gas tight suits when dealing with chemical incidents. We have so much more technology. Ten years ago an appliance would only have a hose and a cutter."

He said firefighters are learning new skills and training on new equipment, but not getting the pay to go with it.

At Thornaby Fire Station, Leading Firefighter Barry Pinnegar said: "We were all hoping it would have been resolved but it looks like it's going to be a long time."

Firefighter Alan Brown agreed: "We are absolutely gutted. To think it is the start of a new year and we're having to go through all this again."

FBU Brigade Secretary Alan Blacklee said: "I've been in the fire service for 25 years and I have never seen the lads as low as this.

"I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel because the Government refuses to negotiate."

Police and armed services say they are ready to cope with the walkout.

Lieutenant Colonel David Amos, commanding officer of The Light Dragoons who are providing cover, said: "We now have seven red engines, five green, five Breathing Apparatus Rescue Teams and a Rescue Equipment Support Team so we have more than before.

"We also have enhanced radios down to crews and a thermal imager.

"We spent two days training in Catterick to prepare for this strike and it went very well. We are all now on line ready to go."

He said troops being sent to the Gulf is not putting a strain on resources.

A joint operations room will be set up at Cleveland Police's Ladgate Lane base.

Chief Superintendent Jeff Evans said: "There will be a reduced response and a reduced availability of resources to tackle fire calls.

"It is down to everyone in Cleveland to play their part to minimise the risks that the public will be exposed to."

The Army will answer fire calls with Royal Navy and RAF squads on standby for serious road crashes.

Officers have warned there will not be sufficient resources to answer calls to people trapped in lifts or rubbish fires where there is no risk to life.

Police also warn fuel spillages on roads could cause lengthy closures because specialist resources would have to be called in to clean up.

Hoax callers will face prosecution if caught wasting emergency service time during the strike.